Waste recycling is a key pillar in supporting the circular economy in the UAE

 Waste recycling is a key pillar in supporting the circular economy in the UAE

Waste recycling is a key pillar in supporting the circular economy in the UAE, supporting the country’s efforts to reduce emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Tadweer Group plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainability in the UAE in particular and the region in general, by developing innovative waste management solutions and encouraging the circular economy to reduce the environmental impact of human activities and achieve sustainability goals.

According to data reviewed by the specialized energy platform, Tadweer aims to divert waste away from landfills; it seeks to achieve the goal of recycling 80% of waste by 2030, which enhances the reduction of the UAE’s carbon footprint.

 In March 2023, the UAE Cabinet approved the Circular Economy Agenda 2031, which represents a general framework for implementing the country’s agenda, including the development of 22 policies in the fields of sustainable transportation, sustainable food production and consumption, sustainable manufacturing, and green infrastructure.

Circular Economy in the UAE

Engineer Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of Tadweer Group, confirmed that the group adopts the circular economy in the UAE as a basic model for its business, stressing the importance of enhancing international cooperation and adopting sustainable policies through the "Zero Waste" initiative.

 The circular economy is concerned with moving away from the use of valuable raw materials and producing goods that end up in landfills, and it is an economic model for commercial companies that focus on sustainable production and consumption.

Al Dhaheri added that the group contributes to achieving the goals of the circular economy in the UAE through a set of sustainable initiatives and strategies; as it works to reduce waste sent to landfills by enhancing recycling operations, and uses modern 

technologies to convert waste into energy and reusable materials. He pointed out that the company relies on advanced technology such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things to improve waste collection, sorting and processing operations; which contributes to increasing the efficiency of resource management and reducing waste.

Unsustainable consumption

Al Dhaheri said that Tadweer Group contributes to spreading awareness about the importance of sorting at the source and reducing unsustainable consumption, through community initiatives and environmental education programs; Encouraging individuals and institutions to adopt responsible practices. He pointed out that the group's efforts are in line with the National Strategy for the Circular Economy 2031 and the UAE's vision to achieve carbon neutrality 2050.

He explained that the challenges facing the company in the waste recycling process include the high rates of waste production in general, the low environmental awareness regarding waste separation or how to dispose of it, in addition to rapid urban expansion. He stated that the group is cooperating with Enviroserve to deal with electronic waste according to the highest environmental standards to ensure its safe and sustainable recycling.

Converting waste to energy

Al Dhaheri pointed out the implementation of various initiatives to convert waste to energy, in addition to using renewable energy sources such as solar energy to reduce carbon emissions. The group, in cooperation with Emirates Electricity, is implementing a waste-to-energy project that will be the most advanced in the world and one of the largest facilities in the region, as it will process 900,000 tons of waste annually; which will contribute to reducing approximately 1.1 million tons of carbon emissions annually.

The world-leading project will play a major role in setting new standards for waste-to-energy projects in terms of size, efficiency and environmental benefits, contributing to Tadweer’s goal of diverting 80% of Abu Dhabi’s waste away from landfills by 2030, and helping to develop a blueprint for alternative energy sources.

Al Dhaheri said that Tadweer seeks to expand its services by investing in smart technology and enhancing recycling facilities, in addition to strengthening partnerships with the public and private sectors to support the circular economy in the UAE.

He added that as part of community initiatives, the group launched a wide-ranging campaign to raise awareness about sustainability among school students in the UAE in celebration of the 53rd National Day, which included interactive workshops, competitions and live recycling demonstrations to promote the importance of recycling and reducing waste.